He replied in affirmative and said that 'phoonk padwa lenge to jaldi theek ho jayega'. There was hardly anyone inside as the prayer time was over long back.

When my elderly cousin came out, I told him. He blew the air, reciting some verses. Though I had seen this in qasbahs a lot, it was a bit surprising to see it in city, even now. That was at Muttaqipur in Lucknow, last month.

Just when TV channels spread Islamophobia and we hear news about lynchings, hatred, at the same time such traditions and stories give you another perspective about the country, on the ground.

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.

There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

Muslims in Kharagpur town in West Bengal, decided not take Muharram procession, as the money spent would be used to fund the treatment of a Hindu man.

In times, when people fight over religious processions and every year, processions grow bigger and there is a competition to take out them, it is a news with a difference.

Samaj Sangha Club will raise 50,000 for Abir Bhunia, 35, a Hindu man, who is suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of immune system, reports Kaushik Dutta.

They have already given him Rs 6,000, the report in Hindustan Times further says. In fact, stories are spread all around us though they don't get due attention. Read the complete story here [LINK].

“Muharram processions can be organised every year. But we have to save the life first,” said Amjad Khan, secretary of Samaj Sangha. “We have started raising money. On Friday, after the namaz we will ask the imam in the mosque to announce a donation drive for Abir. We hope to raise a bigger amount than the budget for our procession,” said Khan.

Abir is full of gratitude. The household is facing several issues apart from his illness. After the gesture, others also came forward for support. Pradip Sarkar, chairman of Kharagpur municipality, said they would try to help Bhunia.

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.

There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

It was a person passing by the area, who saw the duo performing the slaughter in the field, when he informed the police.

Prompt action led to the arrest. Ram Sewak Dixit was caught red-handed, with blood on his hands and the sharp-edged weapon.

The aim was to cause a riot, reports Hindi newspapers. The links to some of the reports can be seen below.

Mercifully, it was a local resident [a Hindu man] who witnessed the scene, and informed Dial 100. Else, it could have led to communal tension or possibly a riot. After all, in any such case, the blame goes on Muslims.

Who would have believed that it was 'a conspiracy' to engineer a riot. Perhaps, the aim would have been to settle scores with someone, a neighbour whom they had old enmity, or long-term plan to cause riot and that would be used to grab land of Muslims and loot property.

Whatever, one hopes that the police probe would lead to more disclosures as to what was going on in the minds of the duo, that they committed the act. Even Sudarshan TV channels' website had to praise the 'fair and unbiased police action, notwithstanding the religion and caste of accused' [LINK].

Monday, October 02, 2017

As many as 50 persons were killed in one of the worst shooting incidents in American history.

But media was not using the word 'Terror'.

The person--even after his name appeared, remained a 'suspect'. That's how media functions.

If a brown, black, Asian is suspect, he is quickly the terrorist. Else, the word Terror is not even thought of. Even terms like 'extremist' are not used.

Wade Michael Page, Anders Breivik, James Holmes and Dylann Roof are never described as terrorists.

Rather, they are called 'Insane gunman', 'White supremacist', 'Temple shooter', 'Extremist' or 'Fundamentalist' in the media reports.

This practice is followed in all respectable TV channels, newspapers and websites.

There is quick conclusion that the White man was 'psychologically upset' or had a 'disturbed' childhood or was a 'lonely person'. Hence, terms like White supremacist, Insane gunman or Shooter are used.

That's journalism in 21st century. For more, do check posts on this blog.

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